Israel Tax Authority: Vehicle imports rise sharply

17,142 passenger cars were imported in April 2008, 242% more than in April 2007. Imports of all vehicles totaled $265 million in April, up 166% on the corresponding month
 
Israel Tax Authority reported last week a sharp rise in consumer spending in durable goods during the first four months of 2008 (January-April).
 
17,142  passenger cars were imported in April 2008, 242% more than in April 2007. 81,500 cars were imported in January-April, 65% more than in the corresponding period of last year. 1,261 commercial vehicles were brought in, compared to 370 during the same period in 2007.
 
These outstanding figures are partially attributed to a change in the method of registration of new vehicle import.
 
In financial terms, imports of all vehicles totaled $265 million in April, up 166% on the corresponding month, and $1.53 billion in January-April, up 79% on the corresponding period.
 
Israel imported 84,991 refrigerators in the first four months of 2008, up 37.5% compared to the same period last year. 55,266 LCD and plasma screen TVs were imported in April, 45% more than in the corresponding month. 208,000 TVs were imported in January-April, up 21% on the corresponding period. Washing machine imports were up 30.6%, dishwashers were up 38.9%.